Harbhajan Singh, a former India off-spinner, argues that Team India should not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Why? Just because of safety concerns. Even though, to reduce any worries about security the Pakistan Cricket Board has booked all of India’s games in Lahore.
Indian spinner also backed the BCCI’s decision to seek government approval for the visit before confirming participation in the event. The Indian board has clearly declined to comment on the matter, adding that the country’s government will decide whether to travel to Pakistan.
Is Pakistan Unsafe for Team India?
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has advised that Team India should not travel to Pakistan for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy since the neighboring country’s security situation remains dangerous.
“Why should the Indian team travel to Pakistan? There are safety concerns in Pakistan. The situation in Pakistan is such that occurrences happen almost daily. I do not believe it is safe (for the squad) to travel there. The BCCI’s attitude is entirely justified, and nothing is more essential than the safety of our players. I support the BCCI’s position, Harbhajan said on Thursday.
However, Pakistan has stated that all of Team India’s matches are held in Lahore. And the Indian team will stay at the same hotel during the tournament. It further asserted that being in the same city will make it easier to offer perfect protection to the visiting team. Also, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently revealed that it has purchased property near the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore to build a five-star hotel. According to sources, PCB intends to build the hotel on its own and hopes to finish by early next year.
The newly constructed five-star hotel will minimize the need for teams to remain in distant hotels. This will result in the reduction of road closures for security. Last year, Team India declined to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, thus matches were played in Sri Lanka. Due to diplomatic concerns, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2012.
Shoaib Encourages Team India To Visit Pakistan
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Shoaib Malik has asked Team India’s cricket squad to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy next year. Pakistan will host the 2025 edition of the competition, although India is unlikely to travel, as is the case with the Asia Cup. The former men in green captain and outstanding all-rounder invited the Indian squad. He reminded them that they had gone to the ODI World Cup last year. He said it was a good time to reciprocate and requested that politics be left out of it.
India has not visited Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to political issues between the two countries. Meanwhile, Pakistan has visited India four times in the past 16 years, three of which were for ICC tournaments (the 2016 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2023 ODI World Cup).
“Whatever objections there are between the nations should be addressed independently. Sports should not be utilized for political reasons. The Pakistani squad visited Team India last year, and it is an excellent chance for the Indian team as well. I believe that many players on the Indian squad have never played in the country, therefore this would be excellent for them. We are decent folks. We’re really very welcoming people, so I’m sure the Team India will come,” Malik was reported as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
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